Pirelli announces 2010 Renault as F1 test car

Pirelli has finally acquired its own Formula One test car, though the supplier is still yet to announce who will be driving it. The car in question is Renault’s 2010 R30, which Pirelli will adapt to simulate the latest technical and aerodynamic regulations, as it develops future tyres. Pirelli states that a test driver will be appointed later in March.

Official in-season testing is limited to one session at Mugello in May, so it was important for Pirelli to find a car for its test programme during the rest of the year. Pirelli will use a team with no members connected to a current Formula One team for impartiality, while the livery will be the same carbon black as was used last year.

Last year, Pirelli tested in Barcelona, Jerez, Spa and Monza, and a similar programme is anticipated this year. The first test is due to take place in May, with the remaining test dates still to be decided. Current teams will be allowed to observe the tests using one nominated individual, though no data or other information about the test programme will be supplied.
 
Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery commented: “It was clear from an early point that we needed a more modern solution for our test car, as while the Toyota TF109 has served us extremely well, it is now three years old. Technology, as well as the regulations, has moved on considerably since then, and the Toyota is no longer able to generate the same sort of forces that we need to simulate in order to meet the current requirements of Formula One.

“At the top of our agenda is the need to treat the teams entirely equally, which is why the test team will be run independently and all the teams will be able to send an observer to the tests. Our new test car will be running to current fuel regulations, with no refueling, so we will be able to simulate a full race distance and the change in balance with the car and tyres.

“The final piece of the jigsaw will be to recruit a test driver, and we hope to announce this within a month. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Toyota, who have given us exceptional support as we developed our range of tyres for 2011 and 2012. They have played a significant part in our achievements in Formula One to date, and now we look forward to building on this in the future with a new range of tyres.”

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